Press Release
Interfaith Alliance Welcomes History-Making New Pope Leo XIV
Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in the pro-democracy faith movement, dedicated to uniting communities of diverse faiths and beliefs, today welcomed the announcement that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost would become the first-ever American-born Pope, taking on the name of Leo XIV.
Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Today is a deeply significant day for American Catholics, and also for all those who care about the critical role that faith leaders can play in providing moral leadership and guidance.
“While there is still so much to learn about this Pope, his positions, his record and his plans, we are encouraged by the early reports that he has a track record of dedicated ministry in the Global South, and that he has been committed to many of the reforms promoted by his predecessor Pope Francis.
“At a time when the very concepts of justice, charity, and mercy have been under attack by the most powerful figures in our own country and around the world, we deeply need major spiritual figures who are willing to stand up for the fundamental humanity of all people, and who are willing to speak truth to power against policies and ideologies that cause suffering, division and violence. We hope that Pope Leo XIV will seek to serve as such a figure, and that he will also prioritize collaboration, dialogue and mutual understanding with people of all faith traditions.”
Interfaith Alliance Condemns Islamophobia and Extremist Targeting of Public Officials
As a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, Interfaith Alliance is appalled by the recent surge of Islamophobic hate speech and incitement against NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and the broader pattern of extreme hate directed against public officials and vulnerable minorities. This hateful rhetoric seeks to spread polarization and division and wrongly pit diverse American communities against one another.
SCOTUS Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Enables LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Harms True Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, is deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s ruling today in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor. The decision clears the way for further discrimination against diverse groups and undermines public education. While falsely claiming the mantle of religious freedom, it in fact suppresses diversity and promotes exclusion.
Interfaith Alliance Condemns SCOTUS Limiting Medicaid Recipients’ Access to Healthcare
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, condemns today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which strips Medicaid recipients of the legal right to seek care from the qualified provider of their choice, including Planned Parenthood.